Give Freddy the bread and water you talked about." Lady Garvington laughed in a weak, aimless way, and then kissed her sister-in-law with a sigh, after which she drifted out of the room in her usual vague manner.

Very shortly the clock over the stables struck midnight, and by that time Garvington the virtuous had induced all his men guests to go to bed.

The women chatted a little longer, and then, in their turn, sought repose.

By half-past twelve the great house was in complete darkness, and bulked a mighty mass of darkness in the pale September moonlight.
Lady Agnes got to bed quickly, and tired out by the boredom of the evening, quickly fell asleep.

Suddenly she awoke with all her senses on the alert, and with a sense of vague danger hovering round.